STEELEYE SPAN
The Green Man Collection PARK RECORDS
Folk rock pioneers’ recent-career celebration.
Acrucial part of the second generation of the British electric folk revolution, Steeleye Span’s longevity and presentday vitality remain a thing of wonder. Though their last release, 2019’s Est’d 1969, was their 24th studio album and showed a band in the most robust of health, it’s often their earlier catalogue that tends to get the most accolades, and given the groundbreaking nature of the folk-rock movement of that period, it’s entirely understandable. However, it’s also unfortunate as it implies their best is long behind them. The Green Man Collection rights that particular wrong by delving into some of their more recent output.
What Steeleye Span have always done exceedingly well is put the human voice in a setting where it positively shines. The massed call that opens Harvest is a perfect example of their resonant vocal power. Burnished with radiant harmonies, they cut through the air like a scythe. When the group sings, ‘And we’ll roar out, roar out, roar out our harvest home,’ it’s not too fanciful to hear in that cathartic release an aching if momentary connection between today’s cramped urban modernity and ancient open fields.
And if Steeleye
Span are about anything it’s the song. Old Matron tears along with some added instrumental fire from Ian Anderson’s speedy flute, renewing a longstanding acquaintance with the Spanners that goes back to the Jethro Tull man’s role as producer on 1974’s Now We Are Six, while Maddy Prior’s telling vocal on the wistful January
Man has an understated but insistent power to it.
While this collection acts as a good introduction for newcomers, long-term fans will be tempted by extras including a knockabout reworking of Hard Times featuring an old pal, Status Quo’s Francis Rossi; a stripped-down cover of Elvis Costello’s always poignant Ship Building; and the title track, a 1983 Bob Johnson number that’s burdened by a harsh 1980s production but sounds vastly superior in its 2023 remake.